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Laird Technologies published an application note entitled “Thermoelectrics vs. Compressors in Climate-Controlled Electronic Enclosures.” The application note compares and contrasts the two cooling technologies in order to provide the best solution for a climate-controlled enclosure application. Comparisons of efficiency, reliability, control accuracy, as well as installation and maintenance, demonstrate that a thermoelectric solution has significant advantages over conventional compressors.

Air conditioners utilizing Thermoelectric Assemblies (TEAs) are often considered as an alternative to conventional vapor-compression systems for enclosure cooling. Because a TEA core is compact, robust, and completely solid-state, the inherent reliability of such a system is attractive to engineers and end-users alike. However, there is an inherent reluctance to choose the thermoelectric system due to preconceptions about energy efficiency and unfamiliarity with the technology.

A Thermoelectric Assembly (TEA) has considerable advantages over a comparably-sized, compressor-based solution in climate-controlled electronic enclosures. It both cools and heats, offering more precise temperature control than a compressor-based unit; and it is more energy efficient throughout the temperature range of the application, by 25% to 95% in cooling and up to 400% in heating.

The TEA’s solid-state construction provides advantages in reliability, installation, vibration, and maintenance. Additionally, it’s smaller size and weight allows easier mounting and occupies less space than a compressor-based unit. Because it operates on DC power, a TEA can be utilized globally regardless of available AC line voltage and frequency.

Utilizing a TEA in climate-controlled electronic enclosures is the ideal solution because of its efficiency, reliability, accuracy, compact design, quietness, and easy installation.